India will need another 58 runs on Day 4 to win the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. They have nine wickets in hand, with KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan remaining unbeaten.
The West Indies started Day 4 at 173/2, still trailing by 97 runs. John Campbell and Shai Hope, who were well settled at the crease after reaching their half-centuries on Day 3, played deliveries on their merit and didn't look in any sort of trouble.
Campbell brought up his maiden Test century in the ninth over of the day, hitting a six off Ravindra Jadeja's bowling. However, the southpaw was dismissed by Jadeja in the first over after the drinks break. He made 115 off 199 balls.
West Indies skipper Roston Chase joined Hope in the middle. The latter brought up his first Test century in eight years in the fourth over after the Lunch break. He hit a boundary off Mohammed Siraj to register the feat.
In the fourth over with the second new ball, Mohammed Siraj dismissed Hope for a 214-ball 103. The latter hit 12 fours and two sixes in his stunning knock.
Tevin Imlack tried to take the attack to the Indian bowlers, but Kuldeep Yadav sent him packing. The West Indies were five wickets down with a lead of 23 runs at this stage.
Kuldeep took confidence from this dismissal and dismissed Chase and Khary Pierre in the same over. Jasprit Bumrah returned to the attack in the 95th over and dismissed Jomel Warrican. The star pacer backed it up with the wicket of Anderson Phillip in his following over.
The tourists were in dire straits at 311/9, with a lead of just 41 runs. It seemed that India would win the match on Day 4 itself. However, Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales forged a 79-run stand off 132 balls for the 10th wicket to give the West Indies a sliver of hope. Greaves remained unbeaten on 50 as Bumrah accounted for Seales' wicket, who made 32. The Windies were bowled out for 390.
Chasing a 121-run target, India lost the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal for nine runs in the second over. Warrican picked up his fourth wicket in the Test match. However, if any nerves were creeping into the Indian dressing room, they were put to bed by the unbeaten 54-run partnership between KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan. They remained not out on 25 and 30, respectively. The hosts reached 63/1 in 18 overs. They need just 58 runs more to win the series 2-0.
(On registering his maiden Test century) I can’t really put it into words right now. Maybe tomorrow I’ll be able to describe it. We always spoke about it being a good batting track. As a batsman, once you get a start here, it becomes easier. I think I still went for my shots, it was just about being more selective. My shot selection was a lot clearer in this innings. I’ve always enjoyed playing the sweep. Thankfully, it worked well for me. (On reaching the hundred with a six) Before the ball, I saw him putting mid-on a little bit closer, so I thought, if it’s close enough for me, I’m going for it," Campbell said after the end of day's play.
(On his dismissal in the first innings) That was a freak of a catch. Honestly, I couldn’t have done anything different. I am just thankful I could come back in the second innings and make a big contribution for the team," he opined.
